Diamondback® Tactical 4-12x40 Riflescope

Exposed tactical turrets built for dialing elevation and windage allow quick and precise bullet drop and wind drift compensation at extended ranges. When we say precise—we mean it. These turrets track better than any Bloodhound and reliably return to zero every time. A zero-reset feature lets you re-index the zero reference marks on both turrets after sight in, while fiber optic rotation indicators integrated into the turrets provide a visual cue of your turret’s position.

Read the VMR-1 Reticle manual for details on using the reticle for bullet drop compensation and wind drift compensation and ranging.

reviews

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Yarnac from
ExcellentBought this as a cheap stop gap before I bought another Viper PST. I honestly do not think I would change now. Very sleek tube with no fuss. The zero-reset turrets are first class. I regularly shoot at 100m to test my new loads but dialling back up to 750 metres for my regular loads never fails. A 6 - 18 x 50 (still with the same turrets) would be welcome.. I prefer the DB T to the Viper PST now because of it's simplicity.

Date published: 2017-07-10

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jrod from
Great scope !!!I currently own a PST for my long range gun and it became too heavy to hunt with. So I purchased a Savage 10 in 260 rem for my new hunting rifle. I wanted what i have come to love in my PST 6x24x50 but in a smaller package. The Diamondback Tactical is a perfect fit. I mainly wanted turrets so that I wouldn't have to bother with removing the caps when out in the field. Turret adjustments are solid, easy to zero, and very easy to read. First time out after the scope was zeroed i wanted to see how it would do. I set up and shot 500 yards and was on target in a few shots... moved out to 800 yards and got hitting consistently. Now for the test.. went from 800 to 500 and back to 800.. shot 3 rounds at 500 and adjusted back to 800 for 3 more. All 6 shots hit just as they did before. Was very satisfied with just how well the scope tracked between different yardages. Lens clarity is as clear as my PST. Great job with this scope Vortex !!!

Date published: 2017-07-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
SGT CE Brown from
Well worth the waitI ordered it as soon as I saw it. It was on back order, but well worth the wait. I mounted it to a Remington 783 in 308 to replace the cruddy factory scope. The rifle was zeroed in with about 12 rounds at 50yds. Moved it out to 100 w/ no issues. Adjustments and reseting zero is easy. Switched ammo and had to make big adjustments, but again it was quick and easy. Glass is clear and pristine. I kinda want another one for another rifle. No regrets here. Reticle appears to be very accurate as far as ranging.

Date published: 2017-06-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
TimeAttack from
Very Happy price to performance off the chartsTurrets are what you expect from Vortex great way better feeling than other brands. Glass from 600 was amazing spot traces see hits on steel. Was sceptical not having focus but clearly doesn't need one. Already dropped rifle and scope no issues or marks. Lightweight scope, 70 MOA adjustment, 30 MOA on Reticle. Price to Performance is a game changer. Thanks Vortex keep it coming

Date published: 2017-09-14

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Tomfree from
Excellent scope!There werent many reviews on this before I purchased my first one so I took a chance and bought it anyway and it turned out to be an excellent buy. I have a couple HS-T's and the glass appears to be the same to me. Very clear all the way to 12x. Some people reported it being a little washed out around the edges at 12x but mine doesnt have that problem or I don't see it. Very good in low light. I only buy scopes with exposed turrets and these seem very precise. The only thing I wish it had is 1 moa hash marks on the reticle instead of two moa for better range estimation. I have used it to range out past a mile and it's clarity is surprising good at that distance. If someone from Vortex is reading this- make this scope with 1 moa hash marks on the reticle and I'll buy 5 more... seriously, I like this so much I have since bought a total of 3 for some of my mid range rifles and mounted 1 to an M&P10. Seriously doubt you can find a better scope at even twice the asking price.

Date published: 2017-09-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Robbydude69 from
Great Scope, Unbelievable Warranty!!I have owned this scope for about 3 years now, and it has performed flawlessly, I am using it on a rifled slug gun and it is very consistent and holds up to brutal kick from a 3 1/2 magmum slug. I will be getting another one soon for my 7mm Mag for my up coming Elk hunt this year.

Date published: 2017-06-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Wamps08 from
This scope tracks PERFECTLY!!For being such an inexpensive scope, it tracks perfectly. I have dialed in at 1000 yards from 100 yards and shots were on point. This is a nice bonus for a scope at this price point, If Vortex would make the Diamondback Tactical in higher magnification I would be buying more.

Date published: 2017-07-28

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joe Hendrix from
Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 Review.Not too long ago I purchased a Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40 optic. I shoot out to a thousand yards and love dialing in my solutions. When I read the description for this piece of glass I had to have one. I purchased it to mount on a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creed I use as my pack gun. As with all other Vortex products the finish and look of it was spot on. The windage and elevation knobs are sweet with good positive purchase and seated feeling when rotating. I really appreciate being able to lift the elevation knob to allow me to rotate the zero to the appropriate setting. This scope has performed flawlessly. Nevermind those folks out there who complain about the missing paralax adjustment. I have shot this scope/firearm combo out to 500 yards and it performs as promised and as always is backed by Voretx's no questions asked, grunt-proof guarantee. Makes it perfect for my back gun. Thanks again VORTEX for having your fingers on the pulse of the industry. SEMPER VORTEX. ha ha
Joe Hendrix
Redding, California

I have my scope sighted in and the turrets turned back to 0, but it is still showing the rotation indicators. How do I get the indicators back down to zero without throwing my scope out of sight ? Or is this possible?

Asked by: Steve

It is not possible to get the rotation indicator to zero without changing your zero because lowering that turret lowers the erector assembly inside the scope and that will change your zero.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-08-31

Just recently got a Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor. I am looking at a decent scope that I could reach out to 800-1000 yards with. Is the Diamondback Tactical a good scope and is the magnification 4-12 enough? Also what height rings would you rec

Asked by: Scott

The Diamondback Tactical is capable of shooting out to those ranges, we actually put the 3-9x version on a Ruger American Predator and shot out to 1000 yards. I recommend a 20 MOA picatinny rail from www.egwguns.com and a set of Pro Rings in low height for your setup.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-08-30

Does vortex have any custom turrets that will fit this optic?

Asked by: J.Furry1020

We do not make custom turrets, however Kenton Industries make custom turrets for our scopes and would be able to help you out.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-08-29

what rings would you suggest to use with the 4-12x on a savage axis II?

Asked by: stevenevans

I recommend a 1 piece picatinny rail and a set of our Viper 1 inch low height rings for your setup.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-08-15

This is more of a follow up to a previously asked question. Has Vortex come out with a sunshade yet for the Diamondback Tactical (4-12X40) optic?

Asked by: hurlhead

We will have them available in the next few months.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-09-02

Where can I learn to better use the turrets for dialing up for certain distances as well as the holdover lines if one wants to use the holdover lines instead of dialing the turret? Do you have Youtube videos available and/or written material?

Asked by: David

Here is a book that can explain how to use your scope along with information on a lot of other rifle scope related topics: http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/the-ultimate-optics-guide-to-rifle-shooting.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-08-01

How are the turrets used on the Diamondback 4-12. I can see how to set it to zero once one is zeroed in at the range, but what do the other numbers used for that are semi-hidden under the elevation turret. They are numbered 0-6 with horizontal lines ?

Asked by: David

The numbers that are under the turret are rotation indicators that tell you where you are located at in the overall travel of the scope.

Answered by: Mike at Vortex Optics

Date published: 2017-08-20

At what magnification the reticle will me the right size so that the 2 moa lines are precise?

Rated 5 out of
5 by
SGT CE Brown from
Well worth the waitI ordered it as soon as I saw it. It was on back order, but well worth the wait. I mounted it to a Remington 783 in 308 to replace the cruddy factory scope. The rifle was zeroed in with about 12 rounds at 50yds. Moved it out to 100 w/ no issues. Adjustments and reseting zero is easy. Switched ammo and had to make big adjustments, but again it was quick and easy. Glass is clear and pristine. I kinda want another one for another rifle. No regrets here. Reticle appears to be very accurate as far as ranging.

Date published: 2017-06-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Robbydude69 from
Great Scope, Unbelievable Warranty!!I have owned this scope for about 3 years now, and it has performed flawlessly, I am using it on a rifled slug gun and it is very consistent and holds up to brutal kick from a 3 1/2 magmum slug. I will be getting another one soon for my 7mm Mag for my up coming Elk hunt this year.

Date published: 2017-06-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
shaggy from
Great Scope!!!I put this scope on my Savage 10FCP-SR in 6.5 Creedmoor. This scope is bright and clear and its clarity and precision will compare to scopes costing twice as much or more. The turrets are precise and have positive clicks. I'm very pleased.

Date published: 2017-06-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Bob from
3x12 Tactical ScopeJust arrived, been back ordered for almost two months. Very clear scope, adjustments sharp clicks. Great scope. I'm sold on the Vortex products.

Date published: 2017-06-07

Rated 5 out of
5 by
M.J. Kurly Anderson from
Excellent scopes, I'd buy it nowHunting, great for deer,varmints, elk.